Global Monthly EASE-Grid Snow Water Equivalent Climatology

Data Contributors

ARMSTRONG, RICHARD
BRODZIK, MARY J.
KNOWLES, KENNETH W.
SAVOIE, MATTHEW H.

Parameters

SNOW COVER
SNOW WATER EQUIVALENT

Instruments

AVHRR : ADVANCED VERY HIGH RESOLUTION RADIOMETER
SMMR : SCANNING MULTICHANNEL MICROWAVE RADIOMETER
SSM/I : SPECIAL SENSOR MICROWAVE/IMAGER

This data set comprises global, monthly satellite-derived snow water equivalent (SWE) climatologies from November 1978 through June 2003, with periodic updates released as resources permit. Global data are gridded to the Northern and Southern 25 km Equal-Area Scalable Earth Grids (EASE-Grids). Global snow water equivalent is derived from Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) and selected Special Sensor Microwave/Imagers (SSM/I). Northern Hemisphere data are enhanced with snow cover frequencies derived from the Northern Hemisphere EASE-Grid Weekly Snow Cover and Sea Ice Extent Version 2 data (these data were not produced for the Southern Hemisphere). These data are suitable for continental-scale time-series studies of snow cover and water equivalent.

The data are binary data files and PNG images, and are available via FTP. Data access is unrestricted, but we recommend that users register before accessing the data. Registered users automatically receive e-mail notification of product updates and changes to processing.

Data Citation

Armstrong, R.L., M.J. Brodzik, K. Knowles, and M. Savoie. 2005. Global monthly EASE-Grid snow water equivalent climatology. Boulder, CO: National Snow and Ice Data Center. Digital media.